Is Your Small Dog Getting What They Need?
Small breeds have different needs to bigger dogs, from a faster metabolism to tinier teeth, so it is worth checking whether their current food is really suited to them.
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Turning their nose up at kibble
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Struggling with big, hard pieces
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Tartar and bad breath
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Weight creeping on quickly
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Sensitive tummy and loose stools
What Makes Small Breeds Different
Small breeds are often fed food designed with an average sized dog in mind, and that mismatch shows up in ways owners do not always expect.
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A faster metabolism per kilo of body weight
Small dogs burn energy faster relative to their size, meaning their food needs to be more nutrient dense than a proportionally larger serving of standard food.
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Tiny stomachs and tiny portions
A small stomach means every mouthful needs to count, since there is far less room for filler ingredients that add bulk without real nutrition.
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Crowded teeth and a high dental disease risk
Small breeds often have teeth crowded into a smaller jaw, making them more prone to dental disease than larger dogs.
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Easy to overfeed, quick to get fussy
It is easy to overfeed a small dog without realising, and many small breeds are notoriously fussy eaters on top of that.
Why Gently Cooked Meals Suit Small Breeds
Every 5 Hounds meal plan for small breeds is gently cooked and portioned to the gram, so nothing is left to a generic bag size built for an average sized dog.
Meal plans are portioned specifically to your small dog's exact weight, so you are never guessing with a scoop built for a bigger dog.
Every mouthful is packed with real nutrition, which matters when a small stomach has far less room than a large breed's.
A soft, gently cooked texture is easier for small mouths and crowded teeth to manage than hard kibble.
With five proteins to choose from, there is a good chance of finding one your small dog actually wants to eat.
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Vet-Formulated for Small Breeds by Dr Will
“Small breeds need food that matches their fast metabolism and tiny stomachs, not a scaled down version of a bowl built for a big dog. I formulated our small breed plans to be nutrient dense and perfectly portioned for exactly that.”
Dr Will Maginness, Veterinarian and Founder, 5 Hounds
How Your Small Dog's Meal Plan Works
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Step 1: Take the 2-minute meal plan quiz
Tell us about your small dog's age, weight and activity level, so we understand exactly what their size needs.
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Step 2: Get portions matched to their size and energy
We build a meal plan around their exact weight, so portions suit a small appetite rather than an average sized dog.
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Step 3: Fresh meals delivered to your door
Perfectly portioned meals arrive fresh and ready to serve, taking the guesswork out of feeding a small dog.
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How to Switch Your Small Dog to Fresh Food
Small breeds can have sensitive tummies, so we recommend transitioning gradually over a week to help their gut adjust smoothly to fresh food.
Days 1 to 2
25% New Food
Mix a quarter fresh food with their current diet to gently introduce new ingredients.
Days 3 to 4
Half and half
Increase to an even split as their gut adjusts to the change.
Days 5 to 6
75% new food
Move to mostly fresh food, keeping a small amount of their old diet.
Day 7 and beyond
Fully Fresh
Your small dog is ready for a full bowl of fresh, vet formulated meals.
Real Results From Small Breed Dogs
Thank you 5 Hounds
I have 9 dogs in total, 6 of which are Chihuahuas and everybody knows how fussy they are at meal times. Lucky for me, I found 5 Hounds. Each and every one of my fussy little chihuahuas devour all their food at meal time. What a life saver having healthy happy dogs
you can imagine how happy I am.
Oscar my pug just goes mad for your food the minute I start opening the pack he goes crazy. As he suffers from allergies of itchy patches I was anxious to try something new. Well it has been such a success no more itching and his fur is so much softer. Whilst he is on regular medication I do believe the food has made the most difference. His poo is firm,black and has no odour whatsoever, a sign of a healthy gut you stated in a newsletter so you can imagine how happy I am.
I'm delighted
As a pet mum of a fussy dog I’m delighted that this food is literally hoovered! My West Highland White terrier who suffers from itchy feet, ears and mouth was the reason I decided to try this food after drugs did not resolve the problem. Change of diet has definitely helped. I have recommended this to friends and am a huge fan.
amazing product
Amazing product, my fussy Pomeranians love it. I've tried lots of cooked and raw products, this one comes out on top! Thanks Dr Will for 5 hounds!
Small Breed Dog Food FAQs
What is the best dog food for small breeds?
What is the best dog food for small breeds?
The best dog food for small breeds is nutrient dense, portioned for a small appetite and easy to manage for a smaller mouth. Look for fresh, human grade meals with real protein and no fillers.
5 Hounds meal plans are vet formulated and portioned specifically around your small dog's individual size and appetite.
What counts as a small breed dog?
What counts as a small breed dog?
Small breed dogs are generally considered those with an adult weight under around 10 kilograms, such as Cavoodles, Chihuahuas and Miniature Dachshunds. Some definitions extend this up to around 15 kilograms depending on the source.
What matters most for feeding purposes is your dog's actual weight and metabolism rather than a strict breed category.
How much should I feed a small dog each day?
How much should I feed a small dog each day?
How much to feed depends on your small dog's weight, age and activity level, since small breeds have a faster metabolism per kilogram than large dogs.
Our meal plan quiz factors all of this in, so you get a portioned plan built around your individual dog rather than a generic guide on a bag not designed for their size.
Do small dogs really need different food to big dogs?
Do small dogs really need different food to big dogs?
Yes, small dogs generally need more nutrient dense food relative to their size, along with smaller kibble or a softer texture to suit their mouths. They are also more prone to weight gain if portions are guessed rather than measured.
Choosing food formulated with your dog's size in mind can make a genuine difference to their long term health.
Is fresh food suitable for small dogs with dental problems?
Is fresh food suitable for small dogs with dental problems?
Fresh food can be a gentle option for small dogs with dental discomfort, since it is soft and easier to chew than hard kibble. It is not a treatment for dental disease itself, and existing dental problems should be assessed and managed by your vet.
Regular dental checks are especially important for small breeds prone to crowded teeth.
How do I stop my small dog gaining weight?
How do I stop my small dog gaining weight?
Weighing out portions rather than guessing, cutting back on treats or factoring them into their daily amount, and choosing nutrient dense meals over filler heavy food are the most effective ways to manage a small dog's weight.
Small breeds gain weight easily since even small amounts of extra food make up a larger share of their daily needs. Regular weigh ins help catch changes early.
Small Dog, Serious Nutrition
Give your small breed the nutrient dense, perfectly portioned nutrition their size and appetite actually need.
Cancel anytime, no lock in contracts.
